Memphis Roar

Earlier today, the site Bluegrass State Basketball put up an article stating that 2010 PF Kene Anyigbo would be visiting the University of Memphis this coming weekend. In that article, the author states, “Kene Anyibgo, a third Houston-area recruit, was also schedule to visit WKU this weekend, but I have been unable to confirm if he made the visit. Anyibgo is a 6′5 wing from Bellaire High School. He is ranked #13 in the city of Houston and will be making a visit to Memphis this coming weekend.”

“Um, that is not true,” responded Anyigbo. ”I was talking to a bunch of guys and they were like ‘which schools are you planning on visiting?’. I said, ‘I visited Western Kentucky last weekend, and I plan on visiting Memphis and Houston’. But, I haven’t talked to coach Pastner about my visit yet.”

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Terrence Boyd, a recent decommit from Western Kentucky, has become a hot topic among Memphis fans the past few days. Hoping to pick up a highly ranked prospect for 2009 to add to a thin roster, Tiger fans were looking for some promising news. After a brief conversation with Boyd on the phone Monday afternoon, MemphisRoar was informed that due to his situation at Western Kentucky, Boyd will have to chose between sitting out a year for a Division 1 team or Junior College for a year.
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Early Tuesday morning word began leaking (by Jerry Meyer) that 2009 PF Latavious Williams, a key part of the Tigers’ recruiting class, will soon make an announcement that he will be taking his game overseas instead of playing at the University of Memphis next season. Questions have long surrounded Williams’ potential to gain eligibility, so this does not come as a huge shock. Undoubtedly though, this loss gives head coach Josh Pastner one less option on a thin front-line.

According to those we spoke with this morning, the Memphis coaching staff has NOT been informed that this announcement is coming and that some things are being done to try to help the outlook of Latavious’ standing at the University of Memphis next season. Without going into much detail, the basic understanding we have is that the coaching staff is in scramble mode to keep Williams in play.

Williams previously told MemphisRoar that playing overseas was still an option as of late May right after the NCAA allegations were announced.

“If things get messed up with Memphis, going overseas is a big option for me,” replied Williams. “I did a lot of work to get straight on my school. I made a 17 on my ACT and finished 14 classes in a year. I worked really hard and would only be scared that I could get messed up too.”

Stay tuned to MemphisRoar as we continue to gather details on this breaking news.

9:35am UPDATE:

We have tried reaching Latavious by phone and text message multiple times to no avail. With Jerry Meyer’s recent update to his article here, it appears as though this is a done deal despite the efforts of the coaching staff.

“It’s a done deal,” said Williams. “We’re trying to work something out in China.”

Yesterday afternoon, Derrick Williams played a little pickup ball at the Larry Finch practice facility while on his visit to the University of Memphis. After speaking with some of those in attendance, here are some of the things that were said about the 2009 SF.

Williams is really well built for his age and has a body that reminded some of Tyreke Evans. Resembling Evans in height, build and mannerisms, Williams has a tendency to swing his arms back and forth after a jumper. Opening up the pickup games, Williams teamed up with Penny Hardaway and three of his friends, taking on Willie Kemp, Doneal Mack, Roburt Sallie, Pierre Niles, and Angel Garcia.

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Right off the bat, here is the big news. Memphis is not done recruiting for the 2009 recruiting class. When it seemed as though all stones had been turned and no players remained as viable options (outside of the enigma Born Ready – which will be addressed later in this update) for the ‘09 class, Josh Pastner and his staff have managed to find a way on to another impact level recruit’s list.

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Last week, as first reported by Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball, Noel Johnson (rated as the nation’s No. 30 player by ESPN)) asked for and received his release from the University of Southern California. The Georgia native with a smooth stroke from deep decided to bolt when all of the mess surrounding Tim Floyd and O.J. Mayo hit the fan. Reports following his release said that teams such as Georgia Tech, LSU, UNLV and UCONN would have the best shot of landing Johnson.

Johnson graduated from high school Friday, so he’s available to conclude his recruiting process relatively quickly, which is evidenced by a visit to UNC-Charlotte on Monday and Tuesday of this week and an upcoming visit to UNLV this weekend. His high school coach, Andre Flynn of Fayette County High, said Tuesday that he hasn’t talked to him in a week.

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